Sunday, 13 May 2018

Two engineeing students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Taofeek Afeez and Alayande Abiola, have emerged winners of the 2018 Imagine Cup National Finals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Imagine Cup which started in 2003 is an annual competition sponsored by Microsoft Corporation in which it brings together student-developers to help resolve some world’s toughest challenges.

It is considered the “Olympics of technology” by computer science and engineering students, and is one of the top competitions related to technology and software design.

All Imagine Cup competitors create projects that address the Imagine Cup theme: “Imagine a World Where Technology Helps Solve the Toughest Problems.”

NAN also reports that seven ideas were selected from all entries received in Nigeria. The winner will go on to compete at the Middle East & Africa finals.

The two undergraduates of Physics Electronics and Electrical Electronics, who jointly formed TEAM TREP, presented a solution called Real Drip – a device that reduces the risk of blood clot or deep vein thrombosis.

The non-invasive device monitors the flow of intravenous fluid during intravenous treatment and the rate at which intravenous fluid drops (flow rate), and notifies medical staff in real time.

It ensures timely removal of intravenous needle to prevent back flow of blood which may lead to pulmonary embolism if necessary action is not taken in time.

Akin Banuso, General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, said in his welcome address that students could change the world.
“At Microsoft, we believe this new generation of innovators have the potential to address some of humanity’s most pressing problems – from how to predict and monitor diseases like Alzheimer’s and depression, to identifying ‘fake news’ or increasing response times during natural disasters.

“”Through Imagine Cup, the world’s young, aspiring entrepreneurs and developers collaborate to build a technology application, create a business plan and gain a keen understanding of what is needed to bring a concept to market.

“”In a cloud-first, mobile-first world, creators and makers must work together to create a cloud for global good,” he said.

Mr Banuso noted that national entries for the Imagine Cup competition opened in February and was available in 29 countries across the world including Nigeria.

He added that participants created or joined a team of up to three eligible students and together made an original technology project from start to finish.

He said that the process involved coming up with a great idea, putting together a plan, building a project and submitting it.

Taofeek Afeez, the leader of TEAM TREP, said that the team was excited about the win.

“”We would like to thank Microsoft for this opportunity. We look forward to competing at the global stage and do our country proud,” he said.

Damola Solanke, Principal, Azure Apps & Infrastructure Head, Microsoft Nigeria, and Chief Judge of the competition, said the winning idea was assessed based on four key areas – technology, innovation, concept and feasibility.

“”We would like to commend TEAM TREP for satisfying the requirements of the competition.

“”Their idea is well articulated, and we look forward to seeing more homegrown solutions to our pressing needs as a country,” he said.

He said that the finalists would win an all-expenses paid trip to the World Finals taking pace in Redmond, Seattle in July.

““They will compete with the best and brightest teams from across the globe for the title of World Champion, up to $100,000 cash prize and the chance to take home the Imagine Cup,” he said.

He said that this year’s Imagine Cup would see addition of three special awards representing the current state of digital transformation, namely: Artificial Intelligence – the best use of Azure intelligence tools; Big Data and Mixed Reality.

He listed some notable entries seen in the history of the competition to include Team X.GLU of the Czech Republic which took top honours in the 2017 world final for innovation – a glucose meter for children with Type 1 diabetes.

He said that the innovation was paired with a Microsoft Azure cloud solution in the form of an app that could reward behaviours to keep diabetes in check and managed through motivational in-app games.

According to the official, Team AMANDA, a 2016 finalist from Greece, created a bullying detection and intervention solution.

Saturday, 12 May 2018

NOUN admission form is now available all year round. The National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN has announced the sales of Admission application forms for admission into Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate, Post Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree, and Doctor of Philosophy Programmes for the 2018/2019 Academic Session.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMMES.

For list of available programmes at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), prospective candidates are to visit the following page>> National Open University NOUN Available Courses

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

Candidates seeking admissions into various programmes in NOUN must have the minimum entry requirement as follows;

I. Certificate Programmes.

a) Proficiency Certificate Programmes

No previous experience or qualification is necessary. Ability to read and write will be an advantage.
Note: Candidates for Proficiency Certificates will NOT be qualified to proceed to Certificates / Diploma programmes without possessing the requisite basic qualifications.
b) University (Academic) Certificate Programmes

Junior Secondary School Certificate.
Minimum of 2 credits in SSCE / GCE ‘O’ Level, NECO, NABTEB and at not more than two sittings.
T.C II with at least 2 merits at not more than two sittings.
Mature candidates of 30 years and above with relevant work experience of not less than 10 years or evidence of prior knowledge / proficiency in a relevant field may be considered on their merit.
I’dadiyah Certificate of Standard Islamiyyah School.
II. Diploma Programmes.

A minimum of three credits in SSCE / GCE ‘O’ Level, NECO and NABTEB at not more than two sittings with at least a pass in English Language.
A minimum of three merits in Teacher Grade II Certificate at not more than two sittings.
Senior Islamic School Certificate / Higher Islamiyyah Certificate including Arabic and Islamic Studies
Thanawiyyah Certificate of Standard Islamiyyah School.
NOUN Academic Certificate and Certificates of other recognized institutions.
Note: To qualify to proceed to appropriate degree programme of NOUN, holders of Diploma Certificates would be required to make up any deficiencies in their SSCE / GCE, NECO, NABTEB and T.C II.

III. Undergraduate Programmes.

a) 100 Level;

Five credits in the SSCE / GCE O’Level / NECO / NABTEB or equivalents at not more than two (2) sittings obtained in subjects relevant to the proposed field(s) of study.
Teachers’ Grade II Certificates with a minimum of five merits or its combination with any of the certificates listed under (i) to obtain equivalent of five credits at ‘O’Levels.
Candidates seeking admission into School of Law must have five(5) credits including English Language, Literature in English and at least a credit Pass in Mathematics at not more than two (2) sittings in NECO / SSCE or GCE O/L only.
The School of Arts and Social Sciences requires that one of the five credits or merits must be in English Language, while at least two (2) should be in subjects relevant to the proposed field.
For School of Management Sciences, the credit passes at Ordinary Level must include English and Mathematics
For School of Education, the credit passes must include Mathematics for Science Education and English Language for all humanities. Additionally, those in Science Education must have credit in English Language.
For School of Science and Technology, the credit passes must include Mathematics and English Language.
The minimum entry requirement for B.Sc. Environmental Science and Resource Management is five (5) O’Level (SSCE / NECO / GCE or NABTEB) Credits at not more than two sittings including English Language and Mathematics and any of Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science and Economics.
b) 200 Level;

National Diploma at Upper Credit from recognised institutions.
National Certificate in Education (NCE) in subject(s) relevant to the proposed programme of study with a minimum of one merit and two passes.
International Baccalaureates, Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) with at least two ‘A’ Level papers in relevant subjects and pre-requisite number of ‘O’ Level credit passes.
Candidates for entry into School of Law must have a minimum of Second Class (Lower) degree from any recognized University with at least five credits including English Language, Literature in English and a credit pass in Mathematics at not more than two sittings in NECO / SCCE or GCE ‘O’ Level only.
Candidates for entry into School of Science & Technology may be admitted into 300 Level of the programme provided they have the following qualification:
a) Five (5) credit pass in not more than two sittings in SSCE / NECO / GCE or NABTEB in the following subjects: English Geography and Economics.
b) A registered and licensed Community Health Extension Worker with a Diploma in Community Health Officers Programme (Higher National Diploma) and with not less than two years post qualification experience.
Candidates for entry into School of Health Sciences for:

a) B.Sc. Community Health:

Direct Entry to 200 Level;

Five (5) credit passes in not more than two sittings in WASSC, GCE, NECO or NABTEB in the following subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and either Physics, Geography or Economics.
A registered and licensed Community Health Extension Worker with a Diploma in Community Health Extension (Ordinary National Diploma) and with not less than two years post qualification experience.
Direct Entry to 300 Level;

Five (5) credit passes in not more than two sittings in WASSC, GCE, NECO or NABTEB in the following subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and either Physics, Geography or Economics.
A registered and licensed Community Health Officer with a Diploma in Community Health Officers Programme (National Diploma) and with not less than two years post qualification experience.
Concessionary Admission: Mature licensed and registered Community Health practitioners of 45 years and above who are on Grade Level 10 and above that do not possess any of the above stated admission requirements may be considered for admission to run the four year programme.
b) B.Sc. Environmental Health Same as B.Sc. Community Health above and must be registered with the appropriate professional body.

Direct Entry to 200 Level: Candidates may be admitted into 200 level of the programme provided they have the following qualifications:

Five (5) credit passes in not more than two sittings in WASCE, GCE, NECO or NABTEB in the following subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Health Science.
Diploma in Environmental Health Technician obtained from a recognised College of Health Technology.
A valid practice permit issued by Environmental health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON).
Direct Entry to 300 Level Candidates with valid license issued by EHORECON may be admitted into 300 level of the programme provided they have any of the following qualifications in addition to ‘O’ Level requirements:

A Higher National Diploma (HND) in Environmental health Technology.
The Public Health Inspector’s Diploma of the Royal Society of Health (RSH) or West African health Examination Board (WAHEB) Diploma for Public Health Superintendents or Diploma in Community Health Officer.
Concessionary Admission: Mature licensed Environmental Health Officer 45 years and above who are on Grade Level 14 and above that do not possess any of the above stated O / L admission requirements may be considered for admission into the 300 level of the programme.
c) B.Sc. Dental Technology To be eligible for admission for B.Sc. Dental Technology, candidates must satisfy the following conditions:

must be a registered Dental Technologist with Dental Technology Registration Board of Nigeria (DTRBN).
a holder of Higher National Diploma (HND) in Dental Technology or Final City and Guild of London Certificate or Professional Certificate in Dental Technology issued by DTRBN.
Must have a valid practicing license from DTRBN; and
In addition to fulfilling the requirements above, such candidates must also possess five (5) SSCE / WASC / NECO / NABTEB O / Level credit passes including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language and Mathematics obtained at not more than two (2) sittings.
Concessionary Admission: Matured Registered and licensed Dental Technologists of minimum of forty (40) years of age and with not less than ten (10) years post qualification experience who do not possess five (5) O / Level credit passes as stated above may be considered for admission but will be required to do some remedial courses (access courses).
Admission Requirement Into School Of Agricultural Sciences:

a) Undergraduate Programmes: To be admitted into the 5 year B. Agriculture, Candidates must have

i. 100 Level: Credit passes in 5 WASCE / GCE / NECO. Subjects including English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology / Agricultural Science, at least a pass in Physics. The Credit pass in Agric. Science must be backed up by at least a pass in Biology.

ii. 200 Level : “A” Level passes in the relevant subjects

ND with a minimum of Upper Credit plus 5 Credits in WAESC/NECO/GCE “ O” Level to be admitted into 200 Level.
Direct Entry – OND with upper credit may be admitted into 200 levels of theprogramme.
NCE with credit passes in any one of the options below may be admitted into 200 level of the programme:
(i) Agricultural Science
(ii) Biology / Chemistry
(iii) Integrated Science / Chemistry
(iv) Home Economics and related Science based courses
HND with credit pass in Agriculture or related programmes, and credit passes in requisite subjects at O’ Level may be admitted into 300 Level and may be required to take relevant courses at 200 Level.
5 years for 100 and 4 years for 200 level entry candidates.
IV. POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES.

Candidates seeking admission must possess either Bachelor Degree Certificates or equivalent from institutions recognised by the Senate of NOUN; or

Holders of HND with a minimum of Lower Credit from institutions recognised by the Senate of NOUN.
Candidates seeking admission into the School of Law must possess a minimum of L.L.B degree.
Candidate seeking admission for PGD Agricultural Extension and Management must possess a Bachelor’s degree with at least 3rd class division is required. Candidates with pass degree and minimum of 3 years related experience may be accepted. HND holders in Agric Science or other related disciplines may be admitted. Holders of Bachelor degree in basic Science, Biological / Earth Sciences, and Agricultural Sciences from Universities that are recognised by NOUN are admitable.
Candidate seeking admission for the PGD HIV / AIDS Education and Management must possess HND or a good first degree in related field of study. In addition, 5 credits in English, Mathematics, a science subject and 2 other subjects.
V. MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMMES.

A first degree with a minimum of Second Class Lower from a University recognised by the Senate of NOUN in a related field or study.
A postgraduate diploma in a related field from a University recognised by Senate may also be admitted.
A good honours degree in Education (Arts, Languages, Sciences, Social Sciences, Vocational and Technical subjects) from any University recognized by the Senate of NOUN.
Prospective students seeking admission for M.Sc. HIV / AIDS Management are required to have PGD in HIV / AIDS education and management as well as 5 credits in: English and Mathematics, a science subject and 2 other subjects.
VI. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D) PROGRAMMES.

For the Doctor of Philosophy degree programmes, candidates must possess a masters degree in relevant fields of study from a University recognised by the Senate of the NOUN with a minimum score (CGPA) of 3.5 on a 5-point scale.
Candidates for Ph.D Programmes will be invited for an interactive session before an offer of admission is made.
Candidates are advised to forward transcripts of their academic records and three (3) referees report, 2 of which must be from persons very well acquainted with the candidate’s academic work, to the Dean, Postgraduate School from which admission is requested.
VII. OTHER REQUIREMENTS.

Five credit passes at SSCE/GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ level must be in subjects relevant to the proposed field(s) of study.
A credit level pass in Mathematics is required for all sciences and technology, business education and science education programmes. A pass in Mathematics may be considered for social sciences programmes. Also a pass in English Language may be considered for Physics and Mathematics programmes.
Candidates applying for B.A. English, B.A. (Ed.) English and B.Sc. Mass Communication must have a credit in Literature in English.
Prior knowledge and relevant work experience (including first degree/HND/RN) may be considered for advanced placement and waiver.
Candidates awaiting results of any relevant examination may also apply; they should however note that processing of application will not be completed until entry requirements are met. Note: Candidates may be required to satisfy additional requirements by specific Schools.
VIII. ACCESS PROGRAMME.

As part of her mandate to increase access to Higher Education, the National Open University of Nigeria now offers a Remedial Programme at ‘O’ level to the Nigerian Public.
Students who are admitted into these programmes will be taught through the face-to-face mode for a full academic year after which they would sit for any National ‘O’ Level examinations of their choice
For a start, the programme would take off in three Study Centres of the University: Lagos, Kaduna and Kebbi respectively.
DURATION OF PROGRAMMES.

NOUN operates a flexible mode of study which allows a student to determine the pace, place, time and medium of study. Students’ support facilities are available at all our Study Centres nationwide.

METHOD OF APPLICATION (E-APPLICATION)

The entire NOUN admission form application process is electronic and online and operates 24-hours a day. The method of application is as follows:

The Management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has approved the resumption date for the commencement of Rain Semester, 2017/2018 academic session, following the completion of the Harmartan Semester examinations.

Friday, 11 May 2018

This is to inform the University Community that Senate at its 213th regular meeting held on Thursday 3rd May, 2018 considered and approved the revised academic for the completion of the first semester and commencement of second semester, 2017/2018 academic session.

This is to inform all the students of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) that the management has announced the resumption date for the continuation of first semester, 2017/2018 academic session, that was disrupted following the violence that ensued among students in February over alleged blasphemous statement, against Prophet Muhammad posted by a student on WhatsApp.

All students are expected to pay a surcharge of N10,000 and also sign an undertaking to be of good behaviour.

MAUTECH to reopen as follows:

Monday, 14th May 2018: 300 – 500 level and Postgraduate students.
Monday, 28th May 2018: 100 – 200 level students.
Monday, 21st May 2018: examination commences for 300 – 500 level students.
Monday, 2nd July 2018: examination commences for 100 – 200 level students.
Each Stu dent is expected to sign an undertaking to be of good behaviour and pay a surcharge of N10,000 through any of the underlisted means and submit the Receipt/Teller to your department.